Barnett/Laura Trio Redevelopment to be announced

[Jason]

Yeah Lake, the whole comments section of the TU is full of 'em. 

I can't help but see comments like that as merely uninformed.  If we could pull more of the TU readers into this site as more than just a browser they may learn a bit more about what is happening and see this for what it truely is, a good thing that is using dollars having nothing to do with police, fire, education, or stuffing developer's wallets.

[fsujax]

yeah, Jason it is very frustrating reading those comments. Some people will just never get it.

[reednavy]

A lot of those people also bash the paper and call it a rag, yet log on to post stupid comments. Oh the irony.

[Captain Zissou]

I can't understand that person's logic at all.  Yes, we have given developers free money in the past, but this is not like those deals.  A lot of the money was already earmarked for this purpose, and the additional cash contribution by the city will not be huge, as far as I know.

This guy doesn't want downtown to be improved, which is the identity of our city, which is what potential new residents see as they pass by on 95, or when they visit for a football game.  What does he think is a better use for historic preservation funds and money that will have a huge return created by additional private investment??

[BridgeTroll]

Damn... I missed all this...(been out of town...Vegas!)  AWESOME NEWS!  I got a tour of the Barnett when they were beginning renovation.  Such a cool building!  Please begin work on the Laura trio ASAP!

[Mattius92]

Yes its a cool building, and a great plan. Hoping it will spur additional development, and redevelopment in DT Jax.

[Steve]

Joe, that lot is owned by the city, courtesy of Humana bailing DT.  I noticed it was highlighted to but I'm not sure if its a part of the pending deal or not.

Actually, it is in the deal. However, the plan at this point was for it to stay a surface lot.

[reednavy]

Actually, it is in the deal. However, the plan at this point was for it to stay a surface lot.

Hmm, well hopefully that will change in time. We can also hope to get rid of that ungodly looking metal contraption across the street from Modis.

[mtraininjax]

Most of the people who post on the TU are too cheap to afford a subscription.

[Captain Zissou]

I'd say between Dos Gatos, Lit, Ivy's and the other bay street bars there is about 2/3 of a district.  King street is about half way there.  Avondale may be on it's way too.

[Fallen Buckeye]

That's awesome and it seems the most difficult part of these projects (financing), especially in the lending climate we re in, is pretty much addressed.   Next up downtown light rail/street car or trolly connecting Laura St to the Landing, Landing all the way to the stadium, etc.,?......

Would we really need street cars on Laura St.? Everything is a stone's throw away. It'd be like a 3 block walk to get to anything from this place. If anything I think you're right about connecting that area to the sports district. Just extend the Skyway (or some of sort of fixed transit) down Bay St. after a couple years when this project and hopefully the Landing parking garage have begun to bring some life downtown. I could actually see some people using the Skyway then. It'd be great to park at the Landing garage and take a Skyway to catch a Jags game or Suns game and then head back to the Landing afterwards. Or being able to live or stay in a hotel on Laura St. then take it to the sports district. But like I said I wouldn't build the extension until this trio project and the landing parking have been built or you'd continue to see the terrible ridership numbers we see now.

It'd be nice if the retail portions of this development could include some of the basic necessities that are lacking now such as a pharmacy or small grocery, too.

[Coolyfett]

That's awesome and it seems the most difficult part of these projects (financing), especially in the lending climate we re in, is pretty much addressed.   Next up downtown light rail/street car or trolly connecting Laura St to the Landing, Landing all the way to the stadium, etc.,?......

Would we really need street cars on Laura St.? Everything is a stone's throw away. It'd be like a 3 block walk to get to anything from this place. If anything I think you're right about connecting that area to the sports district. Just extend the Skyway (or some of sort of fixed transit) down Bay St. after a couple years when this project and hopefully the Landing parking garage have begun to bring some life downtown. I could actually see some people using the Skyway then. It'd be great to park at the Landing garage and take a Skyway to catch a Jags game or Suns game and then head back to the Landing afterwards. Or being able to live or stay in a hotel on Laura St. then take it to the sports district. But like I said I wouldn't build the extension until this trio project and the landing parking have been built or you'd continue to see the terrible ridership numbers we see now.

It'd be nice if the retail portions of this development could include some of the basic necessities that are lacking now such as a pharmacy or small grocery, too.

Grocery store with a pharmacy in it.

[urbanlibertarian]

Winn Dixie on Market St. has a pharmacy.

[fsujax]

I am tired of hearing about the need for a grocery store Downtown. I go to the WD all the time on Market St and end up saving lots on gas! it has pretty much eliminated my trips to the Riverside Publix.

[tufsu1]

I'm with you on this fsujax!